Website : https://celiarts.net/
Etsy shop : https://www.etsy.com/fr/shop/Celiarts
Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/celi_arts
Email : celia.bourdet@gmail.com
Behind “Celi’arts” we find Célia Bourdet. She lives in Besançon in Doubs [Franche-Comté in France] and is a professional illustrator. In life, her passions are drawing (oddly), reading, music and games.
OJL : Hello Célia.
Célia : Hello.
OJL : Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
As you live in Besançon, can you tell us what your favorite café is there? And what do you like to drink there?
Célia : I like going to the establishment called “Chez ma cousine” (laughs). It’s a very simple place but the welcome is always warm, and it’s close to my favorite bookstore. There is a large selection of gourmet drinks. I am a big fan of latte shakes. And generally speaking, I always have cold drinks (no matter the season).
OJL : And what is your favorite park or place ?
Célia : I love walking along the Doubs. There are plenty of very green corners and small trails nearby. It’s perfect for a walk with my dogs (laughs) !
OJL : Next, what was the last book you read ? And the last song you listened to ?
Célia : _About the book : “The House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski . It is a real puzzle but exciting and very intriguing. The book tells us the story of a normal house, at first glance, but which little by little changes, expands, get smaller etc… Just as the book changes as you read, he expands, he get smaller etc…( yes, yes !). It’s not just a book, it’s a real maze ! You have to hang on!
_About the song : “Lament” by the group Automatic city. Then ! I couldn’t say more, I discovered this song two days ago on the radio and I was immediately hooked. It doesn’t seem like a very well known group, as I haven’t really been able to find any information.
OJL : Finally, do you have a quote and/or proverb that you like?
Célia : Not particularly ! Proverbs are like jokes, I can never remember them (laughs).
OJL : Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself?
Célia : My name is Célia, I started learning drawing in 2011 as a self-taught person, after having completed a BTS in business management assistant (the thing which actually has nothing to do with it…) . So I learned on my own, by following tutorials, drawing inspiration from other artists, cartoons etc… And little by little I began to find my own universe and follow my own path. I love drawing at night ! I’m a real owl (laughs). Apart from drawing, I like reading and games. I also really like music and photography. As well as nature (even if I regret that my plants never survive at my home…) and walks. I love my two big teddy bears (two Samoyeds), they are 10 years old, they are grandpas now so I take full advantage of them.
OJL : Quite a story. And yes, the nocturnal influence can really be seen in your works. Who are the artists who shaped you? Who struck you down?
Célia : I would like to talk about two of them :
_I have a huge crush on Alfons Mucha, who has never stopped inspiring me since I started drawing.
_ Generally speaking, I would say that if I started to be so interested in digital drawing it was thanks to the many artists that I was able to discover on Deviantart at the time, notably Loish (Lois Van Baarle ) who was a real favorite from the start, and which I have continued to support ever since. I love the roundness of his features and the harmony of his colors.
OJL : How did you choose your pseudonym?
Célia : My nickname Celi’arts ?… I’ll let you guess 😀. I admit without shame that it is not very sought after (laughs).
OJL : There’s no shame, don’t worry. Let’s talk a little about your work now. What are you creating?
Célia : I am an illustrator. My drawings are inspired by the worlds that I love. Mainly nature and fantasy. But also the macabre and the October/Halloween period. I love witches, pumpkins, and I never get tired of making them ! I also like to make fanart when I feel very inspired by a movie or book (smile). When I’m not designing for myself, or for my shop, I work on commissions placed by publishers or companies. In particular, I had the chance to illustrate several covers for children and young adults books. And I would love to be able to continue on this path.
OJL : Fingers crossed for you. How can you define your style ?Célia : I couldn’t say exactly… I like to experiment new techniques, to be inspired by a lot of different things… I don’t feel like I have a defined style…
OJL : And yet, your style is very original, you know that. What techniques do you use ?Célia : I draw on Procreate software (on Ipad ) with a stylus. And also with my graphics tablet and the Photoshop software. I love digital painting because it allows me to obtain a lot of different results. And I’m more comfortable creating my palettes. I also like to draw on paper, but more for my studies/sketches.
OJL : Can we place you a personalized order?Célia : As I work regularly for publishers, I often don’t have time for personalized orders. But I also sometimes have more freedom in my schedule ! Feel free to ask me.
OJL : Do you have a story about creating one of your products ? Or on one of your sales ?
Célia : I don’t know if we can call it an anecdote but… I have lots of finished drawings that I’ve never shown yet, because even after all these years I’m still very shy about posting my creations on Internet. My almost ghostly social networks are a proof of that ! So I always have a little feeling in my stomach to show what I do. Although I am lucky to always have positive feedback and support. I don’t know if that’s something that will change…I hope so.
OJL : Shyness has its charm too. But indeed, your fans would be happy to see more. Last question. You definitely have friends who are doing amazing things ! If you want to promote them a little, now is the time !
Célia : Oh yes! I have a lot indeed ! I am surrounded by creative and inspiring people and I consider myself truly lucky to count them among my friends.
So I would like to promote three of them :
_ Les Mignonstres : https://www.instagram.com/les.mignonstres/ -> crochet creations, a mix of cute and horrific (yes, it’s possible!)
_ Vidar Balgiz : https://www.instagram.com/vidar.balgiz_cuir/?hl=fr -> A friend who got into leather creations and working. His Instagram is very recent but he is already very active there and tells us about his passion.
_Little _ Tailor Cat: https://www.facebook.com/littletailorcat -> A seamstress friend who makes custom costumes for cosplays /events.
OJL : Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Célia : Thank you.
Rosa Mystica
